Quick note about this one, it's really several two team trades with some assets being sent to other teams. I always prefer to do trades like this one to make sure that the salaries work once all the moves are made and also to show how the whole roster will look once all is said and done. You may notice that a lot of my trades also include the Knicks trading away Obi. I really don't want this but it's hard to see a future for him on the Knicks given how well Randle is playing and Thib's bias against young players. He deserves better and a lot of my trades are based on not just the Knicks getting a good return for him but finding a place for Obi to thrive as well and get his due. To the team by team breakdown!
Knicks: The Knicks decide to move on from several young players in this deal in exchange for vets who can help boost a struggling bench. They move on from Obi and Reddish and get draft compensation from the Suns which they re-route to the Bulls so they can get Caruso. The Bulls are reportedly open to trading him and are aiming for a first so the Knicks send the one they get from the Suns for Obi and get a couple second rounders in return because Caruso probably isn't worth a full first. He brings some toughness to the backup PG/SG position and would be an upgrade on Deuce on the offensive end. The Knicks also have a solid defender, decent 3 point shooter in Crowder at PF to back up Randle and also get a backup center who better fits with Thib's style in Drummond. He also gives solid rebounding which the Knicks have missed in Mitch's absence. Both Caruso and Drummond are on team friendly contracts and Crowder is expiring if he doesn't work out. Finally the Knicks get Josh Hart who I think would fit great on this team.
Blazers: The Blazers are a really small team right now and need an increase in size. They may decide to trade Nurkic at some point but this gives them another center who's young and has plenty of upside in Hartenstein to be another body in the frontcourt. They also likely can't afford Hart in the upcoming offseason so this gets them something for him as well. They honestly probably should send at least 1 second round pick but I made it straight up for now.
Bulls: The Bulls just need assets at this point. It seems like they don't want to fully tear down the team so this gives them another FRP which they desperately need and sends Rose home for a nice hometown welcome. He can fill in some for Ball who's still injured and while losing Caruso will hurt, it won't change the trajectory of the team overall.
Suns: Finally the Suns fill their absence at PF! Injuries have limited the Suns all season and Obi gives them a dynamic presence at the 4 and someone who can form a new Lob City with Chris Paul. He can also shoot pretty well from 3 and more importantly just gives them a young player who they can grow. They also take a chance on Reddish who gives them more size on the wing. They do send out a protected FRP but that's pretty much the price for both Obi and Toppin, especially since Crowder's value has plummeted since he's been on the trading block all season.
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